Viva Vitality: Words Matter – we can all help end stigma and save lives

By Michell Sauve on October 4, 2024.

The words we use have incredible power.

When a person is struggling, the words we speak to them and about them can foster trust, invite conversation, and even encourage someone to seek support.

Whether speaking about substance use or mental illness, the language you use has a direct and deep impact on the people around you. Using kind words can make it easier for someone to speak up, to feel understood or to receive help.

Last summer I had a challenging conversation with a friend about people who use substances. I was trying to explain how both trauma and intergenerational trauma can lead to devastating consequences such as mental illness, substance use disorder, homelessness, suicide and more. She didn’t understand how this could happen. We just weren’t on the same page.

Months later, we both read the book “From the Ashes” by Jesse Thistle, a Metis-Cree from Prince Albert, Sask., and an assistant professor in Humanities at York University in Toronto. The book chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is. After finishing the book, my friend shared that she now understood what I meant. Thinking back to our earlier conversation, I realized that I have spent my entire career learning how to support vulnerable people. How could I think that just one conversation would influence her thinking. I am so grateful that we both read that book!

To truly make a difference, we need to have many conversations about the impact of our words. We need to take the time to listen and learn from the people impacted. It likely will be uncomfortable because we fear getting it wrong. Don’t let that fear stop you from authentic engagement. Consider this your invitation to champion inclusion efforts, to improve the sense of belonging and therefore well-being of any marginalized groups.

You can make a difference! Here are some tips to help you.

1. Do not define any person by their mental illness or substance use. Use person-first language. For example, instead of saying “they are a drug user,” say “they are a person who uses drugs.” Instead of saying “they are mentally ill,” say “they are someone who is living with mental illness.”

2. Be respectful, compassionate and caring to those who use substances or are living with mental illness.

3. Educate your friends and family – pass on facts and challenge stereotypes.

4. Remember that addiction and mental illness are treatable medical conditions, not a choice, and is deserving of care just like any other medical condition.

5. Be aware of your attitudes and behaviours because they may be influenced by stereotypes, negative stories or images about people.

6. If you make a mistake, you are human! Just apologize and correct your language, then commit to doing better.

World Mental Health Day, October 10, is a great opportunity to try some of these tips. You can carry this effort forward for World Kindness Day on November 13 and pass on all that you are learning about the importance of using compassionate and caring language.

In recognition of National Addictions Awareness Week, November 24 – 30, the What Matters to Hatters Coalition will be partnering with the Medicine Hat Drug Coalition to promote the importance of how we speak about people who use drugs as well as those who support them. During the What Matters to Hatters Coalitions’ Kindness Campaign, running from October 2024 to April 2025, there will be opportunities to learn how we can create a more compassionate and kind community for people impacted by substance use. You can follow the What Matters to Hatters Coalition on Facebook to learn more about this important initiative.

Michelle Sauvé is a Health Promotion Facilitator on the Prevention Promotion Team for Addiction and Mental Health with Recovery Alberta. If you need support, reach out. Call Health Link at 811 or the Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642. Call or text the national help line at 9-8-8 if you are thinking about suicide, seeking crisis support, or are worried about someone you know.

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